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Kids Fishing Day draws hundreds to catch a lunker

Fishing the day away in legion park, families gathered to fish and enjoy the warm weather at Cabela's 13th Kids Fishing Day Saturday.

"We typically have around 300 kids participate in the event," Eric Klepinger, general manager of the Cabela's retail store said.

Various fish were tagged for the event. Seven fish were tagged with three different colors, each color redeemable for a Cabela's gift card. According Klepinger, there were four yellow tags worth $25, two green tags worth $50 and one red tag redeemable for a $100 gift card.

"Two of the tags had been caught by 9:20 this morning," Klepinger said, "the very first fish caught was a yellow tag."

Announcer B.J. Wilkinson, gave away fishing gear through out the day. Each participant that registered was entered into the drawing. Volunteers were on hand to hand out fishing poles and bait and to help the participants learn how to fish.

Cabela's encouraged the kids to learn the educatioal value of fishing by giving away bags with fishing gear, water and educational items along with the fishing poles and bait.

"We have 3,000 night crawlers to hand out," Kelpinger said, "We also have fishing enthusiasts that are here to help the bait the hooks.

"This is a great opportunity to educate the community about fishing," Kelpinger said, "Its also a great opportunity to spend the day near the water without having to travel so far."

Volunteers from Sidney's Elks Lodge were at the park serving some 320 hotdogs to the hungry participants through out the morning.

Elks member Wes Nienhueser, said this was their 8th year volunteering at kids fishing day, his favorite part is watching the kids fish.

Five-year-old Cole Sandoval said his favorite part about the day was "baiting the hook," Sandoval said he had not caught a fish yet, but he was very sure he would catch one before his brother.

Kelpinger said the Cheyenne County Chamber and the City of Sidney, helped to put the fishing day together.

"Hopefully, we create life long anglers," Kelpinger said.

According to Human Resource Specialist Kay Atteberry, there are still five tags that remain unclaimed, customers can come into Cabela's throughout the summer, with a tagged fish to receive a gift card.

 

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